Family is the most complex thing in the world. The mere definition of family is different for all people. For some, it is flesh and blood. For others, it’s those who they feel at home with. Every family has different issues, but some are easier to deal with than others. In The Turning Tim Winton explores the complexities of families through multiple stories spanning over many years and with different narration. Max and Frank Lang are two brothers who are two brothers who are not able to get over their differences, and give a whole new meaning to family. In The Turning, Tim Winton uses the relationship between Max and Frank in the stories “Sand” and “Family” to show that, like a jail sentence, family is one thing that can never be escaped.
…show more content…
In the story “Sand”, Max and Frank’s relationship is tested to it’s limit. After Max began chasing Frank, Frank began thinking about his actions and deciding it was better to give up than anger Max any further by continuing to run, so he “fell to his knees and waited for the flogging he knew would come” (166). But it didn’t, instead Max accepted his apology and said they should dig a hole, “a tunnel. Like in the movies” (167). When the tunnel gets big enough, Max goes in, saying it’s quiet, egging Frank on. When Frank asks if he can try, Max tells him he’s too small. When Max relents and lets Frank in, Max began “walking around out there… he was stomping on it” (168). Max buried Frank alive after he accidentally burned his bum, showing the true evil and anger that Max possesses when it comes to his …show more content…
Frank wants to meet her, “just to connect” (184). However, Max tells him he can’t come over, with an urgency in his voice that it was almost pleading. When Frank goes to ask, Max paddles away. However, Max doesn’t make it far before he is attacked by a shark. Frank was frozen in shock, only realizing what was happening when Max yells at him to help him. Frank hesitates, but eventually saves Max. While he is saving Max, Frank finally admits that it was Max who caused him to quit football. “When the grass went suddenly hard underfoot, and the ball forever out of reach, it was you lurking at the back of my mind. That’s what fucked it” (187). Frank’s admission shows that no matter how hard he tried to distance himself away from his family and his past, he is never able to escape the mess that was his
In the story “Sand”, Max and Frank’s relationship is tested to it’s limit. After Max began chasing Frank, Frank began thinking about his actions and deciding it was better to give up than anger Max any further by continuing to run, so he “fell to his knees and waited for the flogging he knew would come” (166). But it didn’t, instead Max accepted his apology and said they should dig a hole, “a tunnel. Like in the movies” (167). When the tunnel gets big enough, Max goes in, saying it’s quiet, egging Frank on. When Frank asks if he can try, Max tells him he’s too small. When Max relents and lets Frank in, Max began “walking around out there… he was stomping on it” (168). Max buried Frank alive after he accidentally burned his bum, showing the true evil and anger that Max possesses when it comes to his …show more content…
Frank wants to meet her, “just to connect” (184). However, Max tells him he can’t come over, with an urgency in his voice that it was almost pleading. When Frank goes to ask, Max paddles away. However, Max doesn’t make it far before he is attacked by a shark. Frank was frozen in shock, only realizing what was happening when Max yells at him to help him. Frank hesitates, but eventually saves Max. While he is saving Max, Frank finally admits that it was Max who caused him to quit football. “When the grass went suddenly hard underfoot, and the ball forever out of reach, it was you lurking at the back of my mind. That’s what fucked it” (187). Frank’s admission shows that no matter how hard he tried to distance himself away from his family and his past, he is never able to escape the mess that was his